For 2015 draft I didn't do grades but simply gave my thoughts on picked players, and othe guys worth considering.
Denzel Perryman was definitely a draft crush of mine (I'm biased for Miami players, and mlb from there? I'm in love)
An odd aside when looking at players I like, patriots end up taking them lol (that doesn't mean they work out)
Originally posted by SunDevilNiner79:Armstead - I re-watched his game against Ohio State. He played better than I initially thought when I watched the game live (watching live I confused him with the player that was subbing in who also had a 9 on his jersey). Here is what I saw from
1st Round
Armstead: Powerful long frame with good hips, didn't seem stiff at all. I liked his body balance and bend with contact. He did a great job early in the game, holding the point of attack and made a few plays as well. However, early in the game was subbed out quite a bit. His substitution was god awful, which is probably why in the 2nd half Armstead played a whole lot more. In the 3rd quarter Ohio State noticed Armstead playing more and they started to constantly run at him or run sweeps to his side. Ohio State's game plan looked like first expose Armstead's sub and force Armstead out there, and then wear him down. And it worked. Armstead looked gassed on a number of plays in the 2nd half. Armstead is a complete non-factor in passing downs. Although he isn't stiff he has no lateral movement, insufficient quickness, no pass rush technique, and he only uses his hands to engage head on. I think he will be an NFL player for some years and probably a starter in a 3-4 as a DE, but never be a star or a great player. I don't see the upside on his play, but obviously his measurables seem to indicate upside. From Ducks fans I know, they know Armstead as a guy who lacked a motor and was inconsistent.
Who Else was there in the 1st? - The potential picks IMO were CB Kevin Johnson, Marcus Peters, Byron Jones and WR Dorsett. Kevin Johnson is a 6-foot CB with insane foot quickness who lacks physicality and is unable to do effective press coverage. I don't think Johnson was worth the pick. Peters, simply put his play on the field would have warranted a much higher pick. His emotional baggage is an unknown to me, I can't assess that. Jones is a physical specimen who is capable just blanketing a WR one-on-one, he looks very raw though, that he relies on athleticism to recover and it causes sloppy off-the line play. Dorsett is a deep threat with great quickness to also kill teams in the slot, he is a weapon. Teams will scratch their heads about passing on him. I tihnk no Torrey Smith, then we would have taken Dorestt here.
2nd Round
Tartt - I haven't seen him play, so honestly I don't know about him other then repeating what others say.
Who Else was there in the 2nd? - CB Erik Rowe, ILB Denzel Perryman, OT Jake Fisher, TE Maxx Williams, WR Jaelen Strong. Rowe is a safety converted to CB and was still learning the position, but he is all the tools to become a physical press coverage CB, he brings the wood with his hits and his coverage skills are going to improve in the NFL as he learns the position. Perryman I really like as a player, you just have to like an emotional leader of a D that brings the hit. But you can't ignore that he won't be able to cover a TE or RB in the NFL on passing downs. Fisher is an interesting prospect in a zone-blocking scheme, however he lacks the head on strength and physicality IMO to work for the 49ers, not the type of tackle the team looks for. Williams is a solid prospect to take at the end of the 2nd, but I think with McDonald on the rosters there was no need to take Maxx. Jaelen Strong's "drop" in my opinion was due to his poor route running, he doesn't set up his routes well and doesn't show burst coming out of his cuts. He is a JUCO transfer that left early, so rawness is to be expected. He has great body control, good size, and ability to catch contested balls. IMO he would be a good match for Kap once Boldin is done.
3rd Round
Eli Harold - Its a great 3rd round pick. He has a great first step burst and long powerful arms, the basic tools to build a pass rusher. Its a surprise he wasn't a late 1st or at least a 2nd round pick.
Who Else was available? - Its tough to argue he wasn't BPA, but my other guys worth taking at the spot is QB Sean Mannion and DT Carl Davis. If Mannion was playing on a more talented team his senior year, I think he is taken late in the 1st which is where his talent puts him. He has an accurate and strong arm with a short release, I guess being a "rhythm" passer is seen as red flag? I see it as an ability to work a defense effectively and potential. DT Carl Davis, simply put a 320lbs shouldn't be able to move as quick and fast as he can. He is a powerful player and if he went late in the 1st, people wouldn't have been surprised.
4th Round
Blake Bell - incredibly raw, obviously drafted because of his 6'6 frame and hopefully a red zone weapon. However, I doubt he amounts to much.
Mike Davis - His play style is similar to Gore, runs very low, not much speed but enough quickness to make an effective lateral step, runs tough with body balance. He is not a game-breaker, but he is a reliable back to run in a power scheme to get the 4-5 yards.
DeAndre Smelter -incredibly raw player, not only did he not play much college football but when he did it was in a tripple option offense, plus a torn ACL limiting his time. What little I have seen of him, I find it doubtful he ever starts.
Who else was available? - WR Vince Mayle, C/G Shaq Mason, DE Marcus Hardison, RB Jay Ajayi. Mayle has quick feet and allows him to hit top speed quickly, great hands, smart route runner, a quality depth WR. You gotta love former basketball players as pass catchers. Mason is a bulldozer and his power-run game is already NFL ready. Hardison is a late bloomer who has plenty of pass rush ability at 300lbs. Would have loved to seem in our D. Jay Ajayi is a 2nd round talent that slipped due to knee injury concerns.
5th Round
A punter? When we have Andy Lee? Huh?
Who else was available: DT/DE Michael Bennett, OT Fabuluje, WR Kaelin Clay. Bennett dropped, looked like a 3rd round talent. Fabuluje also looked like a 3rd rounder to me, but I guess there were some motivation concerns? I'd take a chance on him, would love a mammoth RT for our power run. Clay has true football field speed and could have helped us out immediately as a returnman.
6th/7th round, I would have liked ILB Hayes Pullard and CB Ifo Ekpre-Oloumu.
[ Edited by SunDevilNiner79 on May 9, 2018 at 10:49 AM ]